Six Weeks Evaluations: The International Candies Litter : Milka (Puddles)

 At Six Weeks of age we evaluate our litters using a six point set of criteria. Five of these points are derived from the American Kennel Club Standard for the breed. One point is given that is subjective and purely based on what we like to see for coloring and aesthetic qualities. It is difficult to look into a puppy's future and see what they will truly become, but at six weeks there is enough of the traits emerging in appearance and personality to give it a good guess.

Our breeding program has been aimed toward breeding a smaller form of Basset Hound, something that won't exceed forty pounds when fully adult and perhaps less than fourteen inches at the shoulder. In this litter we only see two pups of this smaller form developing, four which will be of the more normal American Basset size (perhaps fifty pound fully grown and fifteen inches at the shoulder) and one standard sized little boy who will likely top out at sixty pounds. All of the Candies show very good traits, but as is the usual, the sire (Rocky) brought into the mix all that we expect in an American Basset Hound. The very long ears, head shape, boxy nose shape, and heavy foreleg size are all of Rocky's very good features. Lilly, the Dame, is a good example of the smaller form Basset and has very good features as well.

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There is always one puppy in every litter that I would keep if I could. Puddles is the one, for many good reasons. He is an excellent little boy with all the right stuff.

Structurally he is nearly perfect. His head shape is very well domes and his face and snout very boxy.  His snout carries very pronounced fews whcih will undoubtedly become something like his Sire's highly exaggerated features. His ears are very long and drape perfectly down to the ground. His thick neck rises perfectly above stout forelgs and his body shape runs smoothly back to a narrow waist and very strong hips. Puddles has a great stance (a good indicator of bone health prospects) and loads of extra skin folding over his legs and on the top of his head. Puddles is a fine example of the breed. 

He is a lovely little dog and is covered in a soft, thick, light red fur with very nice symmetry throughout his body and face. He is a beauty and might do well at shows if someone wanted to train him to it.  He has the patience and majesterial atittude of a champion.

Of the five AKC derived points Puddles gets all five (despite a baby tooth overbite that will clear itself in a few months). He also gets the full point for being pretty and if I could I'd give him more. He is lovely, easy going, and built like a Basset Hound shaped sports car. I still want to keep him. He is a good prospect for breeding if rights are secured.

Overbite